Tynes makes pitch for incarcerated brother

Giants placekicker Lawrence Tynes has asked the Bush administration to commute a lengthy sentence given to his brother for distributing marijuana.

Tynes, who kicked the winning field goal in the NFC title game in January, maintains that the 27-year sentence his brother Mark is serving in a federal facility in Arkansas was excessive for the crime.

"My brother is not asking for a pardon, he is asking for a commutation, which would reduce his sentence," Tynes said yesterday.

Mark Tynes was convicted in 2004 of two counts of marijuana distribution for his part in a plan to move 18 tons of marijuana between Texas and Florida.

The 31-year-old Tynes refused to cooperate after his arrest. Four childhood friends testified against him and received sentences ranging from 21 months to five years.

Jets return men

Linebacker David Harris and safety Eric Smith returned to Jets practice for the first time since suffering injuries last month. Harris (groin) and Smith (head) were both listed as limited participants in practice . . . Bears defensive back Nathan Vasher has a fractured right hand and will miss Sunday night's game against the Vikings. Vasher, sidelined for three games earlier this season with an injury to his right wrist and thumb, was hurt against the Rams.

Spoiled sport

Asked if he has learned anything from his benching for a verbal altercation with a Bengals coach, receiver Chad Ocho Cinco thought for a few seconds before barely smiling and saying, "No." Coach Marvin Lewis suspended the receiver after he showed up late for a team meeting, exchanged words with a coach, then left the meeting. "I put [Lewis] in a tough position, and he made a call he had to make," Ocho Cinco said . . . Browns QB Brady Quinn's season officially ended after just three starts, done in by a broken right index finger he tried to play with last week and may now require surgery . . . Saints RB Reggie Bush, who hasn't played since tearing the meniscus in his left knee Oct. 19, said he's "definitely a go" Sunday vs. the Buccaneers . . . The Broncos signed free agent fullback Andrew Pinnock to shore up their injury-riddled backfield.